Weed ID

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

Lythraceae and Loosestrife Family
Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum

GROWTH HABIT: Perennial, erect up to 8 feet tall.

LEAVES: Simple, entire, and opposite or whorled. Commonly confused with fireweed, which has alternate leaves.

STEMS: Four to eight sided and can be either smooth or hairy. Appears woody at the base.

FLOWERS: Range from white to pink to deep purple or even red, arranged on a spike that is from 2 in. to 3 feet long.

ROOTS: Thick and woody in mature plants.

SEEDS: A mature plant can produce more than 2 million seeds per growing season.

REPRODUCES: Vegetatively from rootstock and by seed.

HABITAT: Invades aquatic and wetland areas.

"Causes strife when it gets loose"